By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com
BOSTONShawn Thornton is usually pretty predictable before and after a game.
Prior to a game hes stretching, running, getting loose by himself with headphones and traveling to whatever dark place he needs to transport himself while serving as an enforcer for the Bruins. Afterwards he's usually ready to smile and joke after a victory, or stand up to answer for himself and his teammates after a defeat.
But Thornton was understandably enraged after Tuesday nights 3-0 win over the Blackhawks.He was knocked out of the game in the second period after taking Fernando Pisanis skate blade to his forehead, opening a cut that required 40 stitches to closer. As he skated past the Chicago bench on his way to the medical room, with referee Don VanMassenhoven beside him, one of the Blackhawks -- Thornton still doesn't know who it was -- decided that was an opportune time to open his mouth and begin chirping at the bloodied Bruin.
Thornton shoved at VanMassenhoven and tried to get at the Blackhawks, but the referee pushed him to the Boston dressing room and told the Chicago bench, in most colorful language, to keep quiet. Those guys on their team chirp a lot. I dont know if it's right when someones face is half across the other side of their face, said Thornton. But it's a tough game and people have to live with their actions.
"If you guys ever find out who it is, dont be afraid to send me a Christmas card and let me know who.The play happened immediately after a good scoring chance for the winger, and Thornton tumbled with Pisani into the boards before the sharp blade sliced his skin open just above his right eye. It was purely accidental, even though Thornton and Pisani had exchanged words earlier in the game.
I was fortunate to see it coming after I fell. It's easy to say now, but I knew it was a bad cut. I didnt see how bad it was because they wouldnt let me go look at it, said Thornton.
I knew nothing else was hit other than my forehead. It had happened to me before and it doesnt really hurt when it happens like that; it just feels like you got banged in the head. I know how lucky I am. It could have been a little lower and I could have been in a lot of trouble."
The Bs enforcer briefly considered donning a visor and returning to the game, but eventually it was decided he wouldnt take another shift. Neither Thornton nor coach Claude Julien were certain if hed miss Thursday's matchup against the Maple Leafs, but it might play into allowing Michael Ryder back into the lineup for a game or two while Thornton rests up and heals the nasty slice on his head.
Boston Bruins
He took a lot of stitches, and the doctors and the trainers deemed it bad enough they didnt want to take that chance, especially when you have to put a helmet on and stuff like that, said Julien. So hopefully hell be fine soon and well know more about it as we go forward tomorrow and the next day. And well see how he is by Thursday.Perhaps the harsh words and whollybush league words from the Chicago benchstemmed from a leg-on-leg hit between Thornton and Pisani in the first that slowed down the Blackhawks forward just a bit, but that's not seemingly going to matter when Thornton starts doing some investigative work on which player said what on the Blackhawks' bench. Draft pick Ryan Button signed an amatuer tryout contract with the Bruins, and will finish out the season with the AHL's Providence Bruins. The 20-year-old defenseman has 5 goals and 30 assists in 69 games for the Prince Albert Raiders and the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League after being a third round pick by the B's in the 2009 Player Entry Draft. Mark Recchi confirmed Tuesday night that he'll retire if the Bruins win the Stanley Cup this season.
"Im hoping we go on a long ride through the playoffs; it just makes it real easy for me to say see you later," said Recchi, 43. "We win and I say Im gone. If we win a championship, Im gone." Patrice Bergeron led the Bruins with seven shots on net, and led all Boston forwards with 20:39 of ice time in a solid all-around performance. From the Bruins' P.R. staff:Nathan Horton has been named the 2011ambassador for the Alliance for Lupus Research, and the Bruins Foundation announced they'll be donating 20,000 to their upcoming "Walk with Us To Cure Lupus." The Boston Bruins Foundation will partner with the Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR) by donating 20,000 to their "Walk with Us To Cure Lupus" walkathon at Castle Island in South Boston on Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. To kick-off the partnership, the Boston Bruins are hosting Lupus Awareness Night on Tuesday, March 29 during the BruinsBlackhawks game. All the proceeds from the 5050 raffle will benefit ALR and their Boston "Walk with Us To Cure Lupus" event. Bruins fans can support Horton and the Lupus Walk by texting the word "WALK" to 85944 to make at 10 donation. A one-time donation of 10 will be billed to your mobile phone bill. Messaging & data rates may apply. Donations are collected for the Alliance for Lupus Research by mobilecause.com. Reply STOP to 85944 to stop. Reply HELP to 85944 for help. For terms, see http:www.igfn.orgThe Boston Walk with Us to Cure Lupus event is a 5K (3.1 miles) walk that is designed to raise significant funds and awareness for the quest for a cure for lupus. All walkers are encouraged to raise as much money as possible from family, friends, co-workers and business associates in support of their participation in the walk.Bruins fans can register for the Boston "Walk with Us To Cure Lupus" online at http:walk.lupusresearch.orgboston by emailing evega@lupusresearch.org, jmarks@lupusresearch.org or by phone at 866-WALK-ALR.
Joe Haggerty can be reached at jhaggerty@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Joe on Twitter at http:twitter.comHackswithHaggs